Toy bridge



y 1950 N. B. SPUNBERG 2,507,354

I TOY BRIDGE Filed July 17, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. N. B SPUNBERG N. B. SPUNBERG TOY BRIDGE May 9, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 17, 1946 FIG. 6

FIG 8 INVENTOR N B. SPUNBERG ATTORNEY Patented May 9, 1950 UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE 2,507,354 TOY BRIDGE Nathan B. Spunberg, New York, N. Y. Application July 17, 1945, serial No. 684,097

6 Claims.

This invention relates to childrens toys and more particularly to toys composed of independent structural elements susceptible of being assembled with cooperating elements to form a completed structure.

It is an object of the invention to provide a toy consisting of a plurality of relatively inexpensive prefabricated elements or parts which may be assembled to build a complete structure in the use of which both physical and mental training will be acquired. The nature and character of the independent elements and the completed structure are such that they furnish essential motivation and encouragement in the maximum use of the human facilities by the greatest number of children as well as a definite appeal to adults.

A further object of the invention is to provide a toy designed to attract and retain the attention, thus serving not only to occupy the individuals time but to entertain and impart instruction in certain fundamentals of engineering knowledge to the individual.

Briefly stated, the invention consists of relatively inexpensive prefabricated elements or parts of a character which when assembled will form a bridge having an elevated span and inclined approaches with guard rails along each side of the bridge.

Further objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective out a toy in the form of a bridge constructed in accordance with the present invention;

, Fig. 2, a fragmentary detail in perspective additionally illustrating the construction;

Fig. 3, a perspective of an end post; Fig. 4, a perspective of a brace; Fig. 5, a detail of the post and brace in assembled relation;

of the cross beams] 3 and.consequen yiber um- Ithepresent instance utilizing two sets of posts It .the supporting structure of the bridge.

2 ber of pedestal blocks used is dependent upon the desired width of the bridge and may be varied accordingly. Likewise, the size of the pedestal blocks and cross beams is dependent upon the desired size of the bridge I 1 One cross beam I3 is constructed to be used at each ,endof thefbridge while additional cross beams 24 having dovetailed slots i5 for receiving identical pedestal blocks ID are employed to support the main elevated span of the bridge.

Each cross beamlfi is adaptedto support in spaced relation-aseriesof posts It and accordingly these cross beams M; are provided with receiving slots ii for the reception of the lower square posts. Centrally oi the slots i? the cross beams are provided with openings or sockets l8 forthe reception of dowel pins I9 which extend through and extend below the lower ends of'the posts'lB. H v V 'Supportedon the upper end of the posts I6 are cross beams'2fl having slots 2| for the reception of the upper square ends of the :posts It and in the center of which slots openings 22 are provided rfor the reception of 'theupper end of the dowel pins l9 above the uppersends of the posts.

The lower andi upper cross beams l4 and 20 with intefmediate'posts and the pedestal blocks 'form a supporting unitas shown in Fig. 6; This 'unit in combination with the cross beams l3 suplportstheapproach to the central space of the bridgef'Th'e crossv beams I3 and 20 are provided with'slots 24 and 2.5, respectively, for the .The height or position of the cross beams, 29 determines the elevation oithat particular portion of the bridge and in turn is determined by the length of the :posts l6. H

The main elevated span of the bridge may be of uniform or varied height,v depending upon the number and length of the .posts and associated parts, a single elevated span being employed in and. supported cross beams 29.

. stringers-29 span the gap between thespaced parallel cross beams 28, these stringers being provided'withslots 30 into which. the cross beams 29 are received.

The previously describedelements constitute Upon the alternate inclined and parallel stringers the floor. structure or the bridge isv adaptedto be supported. This floor structure consists of a pair of parallel side members 3|, each having a channel or groove 32 for the reception of the ends of floor boards or tread members 33. Spaced floor members 34 of greater length are employed ior tying together the side members 3 I. These longer floor members extend through slots 35 in the side members, and the side members are also provided with square openings 36 which register with the corresponding openings in the floor members, the peg 31 entering said registering or aligning openings. The floor members and the side members are locked together by a square peg 31 on the bottom of an upright rail supporting ,post 38.

The upper ends of the rail supporting posts have 7 reduced projections 39 adapted to seat in sockets 4B in guard rails 4! (Fig. The rail supporting posts 38 are additionally supported by braces 42 having bifurcated upper ends 43 which engage opposite sides of the posts 38 beneath the rails 4|, and the lower ends of the braces are provided with reduced inclined projections 44 which are snugly received in openings 45 in the longer floor members 34.

The tread or floor members form an inclined approach or ramp disposed at an angle of approximately 45 from the horizontal and with the lower extremities 46 of the side members out substantially along the horizontal to gently merge into the surface on which the bridge is supported. In the present construction two such ramps are employed, one at each end of the bridge connected b'y intermediate structures which form the mid-portion of the superstructure of the bridge. This intermediate structure consists of side members 41 similar to the side members 3! and floor. members 33 and '34, the parts being held together as previously described. Guard rails 50 are provided, similar to the guard rails 4|, and posts 48. and braces 49, similar to the posts and braces38 and 42, are disposed vertically along the horizontal side members 41.

In order to fasten together the inclined and horizontal portions of the bridge, the side members and guard rails of the horizontal portion of the superstructure of the bridge are provided with vertical Slots 51 and 52 for reception of tongues Bland 54 on the side members and guard rails ofjthe inclined or ramp portion of the bridge.

It will be readilyunderstood that there isprovided' a group of independent structural .elements or parts having portions of a configurationcom ment, imparted entertainment, given physical and mental exercise, improved physical skill and enlarged the mental knowledge of the individual at least to some degree in the art of bridge building as well as taught patience, tenacity and the overcoming of problems similar to those encountered in every day life.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and therefore the invention is not limited by that which is shown in the drawings and described in the specification but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A building kit comprising a plurality of independent preformed elements adapted'when assembledto form a unitary structure, such-as a bridge, said elements comprising a plurality of pedestal blocks having inclined sides, a plurality of lower cross beams provided with dovetailed slots in the under side thereof for reception of said pedestal blocks, a plurality of posts, each being provided with a dowel pin projecting from either end thereof, a plurality of upper supporting cross beams provided with a plurality of slots in the upper sides thereof, apertures in said upper and lower cross beams adapted to receive said dowel pins in said posts to support said upper .c'ross beam on said lower cross beam in spaced relation thereto, a plurality of stringers provided with notches in the under sides thereof for reception in the notches in said upper cross beams, a plurality of elongated side pieces supported upon said cross beams and provided with grooves on their inner sides extending throughout the length thereof, spaced horizontal apertures extending from said grooves to the outer side of said side pieces, said side pieces being further provided with vertical lots in each end thereof and with spaced vertical apertures extending therethrough in alignment with said horizontal apertures, supporting posts provided reduced extremities, one of said reduced extremities being adapted to extend through said vertical apertures, guard rails provided with spaced apertures in the under side thereof, said apertures being adapted to receive the other reduced extremity on said supporting post to support said guard rail on and in spaced relation to said side pieces, brace members provided with a reduced extensicn on one end and a bevelled slot in the opposite end, a plurality of tread memberssupported upon said stringers, the extremities of said tread members being received in the elongated grooves in said side members, a plurality'of tread members of greater length than said. first mentioned tread members provided withian aperture adjacent each end thereof andbeing adapted to exte'nd'through the horizontal openings in said'side members, the reducedextefn'sions on 'said brace members being adapted 'tofbe received in the apertures in said tread members, the bevel slots insa'id brace members engaging sai'd'supporting posts'to support said posts and guardrails against outwardmovement, a plurality of additional cross beams provided with dovetailed slots in the under sidethereof'for reception of saidpedestalblocks, a plurality of additional stringers provided with slots for reception in the slots in; said upper cross beams, a plurality of additional side members provided with reduced endportions' adapted for reception in thewertic'ahslots in said first mentioned side members, said 'additional' 'cross beams, stringers and side members "being provided withtre'ad members-and comprising ramp portions providing approachesto thecentral portion of said structure.

2. A-unitary structural assembly', comprising a plurality of pedestal blocks having'inclined sides, a plurality of lower cross beams provided with dovetailed slots in the under side thereof forreception'of said pedestal blocks; a-plurality of posts each being provided witha dowel pin projecting from either end thereof, a plurality of upper supporting cross beams provided-with a pl'uralityof slots in the upper sides thereof, apertures-in said upperand lower cross beams adapted to' receive said dowel pins in said posts to support saiduppr cross beam on said lower cross beam: in spaced relation thereto, a pluralit of stringers provided with notches in the under sidesthereof for reception in the notches in said upper cross beams,

a, plurality or elongated=1 side pieces rsupported upon said cross beams and provided with grooves on their inner sides extending throughout the length thereof, spaced horizontalfapertures extending from said. grooves torthe outer side of .in the under side thereoflesaid apertures-being adapted to receive the other reduced extremity onsaid supporting postto support said guard rail on and in spaced relation to said side piece, brace members provided withla reduced extension on one end and a bevelled slot in the opposite end, a plurality of tread members supported upon said stringers, the extremities of said tread members being received in the elongated grooves in said side members, a plurality of tread members of greater length than said first mentioned tread members provided with an aperture adjacent each end thereof and being adapted to extend through the horizontal openings in said side members, the reduced extension on said brace members being adapted to be received in the apertures in said tread memberathe bevel slots. in said brace members engaging said supportingv posts tof support said posts and guard rails against outward movement.

3. A ramp or approach for a bridge structure or the like comprising elongated side members provided with grooves on their inner sides extending throughout the length thereof, said side members being provided on the inner ends thereof with projections for reception in complementary notches on the structure to which said ramp is joined, a pluralit of spaced horizontal openings in said side members extending from the groove to the outer side thereof, a plurality of apertures extending through said side members in alignment with said horizontal apertures, a plurality of stringers disposed between said side members in parallel relation with respect thereto a plurality of tread members supported upon said stringers, the extremities of said tread members being received in the grooves in said side members, a plurality of tread members of greater length than said first mentioned tread members and provided with an aperture adjacent each end thereof, supporting posts provided with reduced extremities, one of said extremities being adapted to extend through said apertures in said side members, guard rails provided with spaced apertures in the under side thereof, said apertures being adapted to receive the other reduced extremity on said supporting post to support said guard rail on and in spaced relation to said side piece, brace members provided with a reduced extension on one end and a bevelled slot in the opposite end, the reduced extensions on said brace members being adapted to be received in the apertures in said tread members of greater length, the bevelled slots in said brace members engaging said supporting posts to support said posts and guard rails against outward movement, a cross beam provided with dovetailed slots in the under side thereof and with a plurality of slots in the upper side thereof, pedestal blocks having inclined sides for reception in said dovetailed slots, said stringers and side members being received in the slots in the upper side of said cross beam whereby said stringersand said side memhersare supported inspaced relation.

:whereby said upper cross beam issupportedgon said lower cross beam in spaced. relation thereto, a plurality; of. stringers,rcooperatingz' me'ansron saidstringers and said upper crosssbeams wherebysaidstringers are-supported in spaced relation, asplurality of elongated :side pieces ,supported upon said cross beams, a plurality of supporting posts provided with reduced extremities adapted to extend through apertures in said side pieces, guard rails, means" on said guard rails cooperating with saidposts to support said guard rails on and in spaced relation to said side pieces, a plurality of tread members supported upon said stringers and adapted; to be received in cooperating means on said side members, 'apl'uralitysof tread members of greater length than said first ..rnenti0ned tread members and adapted to project through said side members, a plurality of brace members, cooperating means on said brace members and said tread members of greater length, and means on said brace members cooperating with said posts whereby said posts and guard rails are supported upon said tread members of greater length against outward movement, a plurality of additional cross beams provided with dovetailed slots in the under side thereof for reception of said pedestal blocks, a plurality of notches provided in the upper side of said additional cross beams, a plurality of additional stringers, notches provided on said stringers cooperating with the notches in said upper cross beams whereby said additional stringers are supported in spaced relation, a plurality of additional side members, means on said side members cooperating with means on said upper cross beams whereb said side members are supported thereon in spaced relation, said additional cross beams, stringers and side members being provided with tread members and guard rails and comprising ramp portions providing approaches to the central portion of said structure.

5. A unitary structural assembly, comprising a plurality of pedestal blocks, a plurality of lower cross beams provided with dovetailed slots in the under side thereof for reception of said pedestal blocks, a plurality of posts, a plurality of upper supporting cross beams provided with a plurality of slots in the upper sides thereof, cooperating means on said posts and said lower and upper cross beams whereby said upper cross beam is supported on said lower cross beam in spaced relation thereto, a plurality of stringers supportedv upon said upper cross beams, cooperating means on said stringers and said upper cross beams whereby said stringers are supported in spaced relation, a plurality of elongated side pieces supported upon said cross beams, a plurality of supporting posts provided with reduced extremities adapted to extend through apertures in said side pieces, guard rails, means on said guard rails cooperating with said posts to support said guard rails on and in spaced relation to said side pieces,

a plurality of tread members adapted to be received in cooperating means on said side members, a plurality of tread members of greater length than said first mentioned tread members and adapted to project through said side members, a plurality of brace members, cooperating means on said brace members and said tread members of greater length, and means on said brace members cooperating with said posts whereby said posts and guard rails are supported upon said tread members of greater length against outward movement.

6. A ramp or approach for a bridge structure or the like comprising elongated side members, means on one end of said side members cooperating with means on said bridg structure to support said ramp thereon, a plurality of stringers disposed between said side members in spaced parallel relation with respect thereto, means on one end of said stringers for cooperating with means on said bridge structure to support said stringers therefrom, a plurality of tread members adapted to be placed on said stringers, means on said side members cooperating with said tread members for retaining said tread members in position, a plurality of elongated tread members of greater length than said first mentioned tread members, said elongated tread members extending through spaced apertures in said side members, supporting posts provided with means cobrace members cooperating with th portion of said posts adjacent the upper end thereof to support said posts and guard rails upon said tread members of greater length against outward movement.

NATHAN B. SPUNBERG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references areof record in the fil'eof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 249,448 Barnes Nov. '15, 1881 2,224,405 McIntyre Dec. 1940 2,330,146 Ricci Sept. 21, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 422,344 Germany Feb. 14, 1925 832,726 France July 4, 1936 

